Letters479 Letter CDLXXIX. To the Count of Nevers.

To J., 2 Count of Nevers, his friends the brethren of Clairvaux, health and their prayers.

1 S. John. v. 30.

2 Perhaps the successor of him to whom Letter CDLXXVIII was addressed.. (E.)

You abound, as we suppose, in the substance of this world; the servants of God at Molesmes are enduring great penury, so that, as we have heard, they are in want of bread: and they have great difficulty in purchasing sufficient grain for their number. We have taken this step to suggest privately to you, without their knowing anything of it, or expecting any such action on our part, that, if it should be in your heart to bestow an alms as unto God, you may be aware that there is great need of it in that monastery. If, however, without any ill feelings towards them, you are either unable or unwilling to make a gift to them, it is free to you to decline; since in fact, they are quite unaware of the request which we are making bold to urge upon you. Farewell.